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Page 311
road and to open the house and order the servants and all things, rushing off to greet his brother as if that is the most important thing of all. So cruel, when I am so weak and so troubled by a dizziness behind my eyes and a strange ringing in my ears."
The lips were petulant, the hands fluttered idly and helplessly, but Alinor was not looking at those attention-demanding distractions. Her eyes were fixed upon Lady Ela's, taking in with amazement the bright and mischievous twinkle that dwelt in their pale depths.
"Do you not think William is grossly unkind?" Lady Ela insisted.
Alinor opened her mouth to utter an appropriate platitude, but a giggle came out instead. She gasped and choked. Not a muscle quivered in Lady Ela's face.
"I am sure he does not mean to be unkind," Alinor got out. "Men seldom consider the burdens we women must bear. Look at Ian, inconsiderately spending his time ridding my lands of outlaws instead of staying at home to help me make the wedding arrangements and take care of the guests." Alinor's voice quivered and she uttered another gasp as she strove to steady it. "And never a word to tell me whether he was alive or dead."
"Men are dreadful creatures, are they not?" Lady Ela sighed, as if she were expiring. "They never seem to care about talking at the top of their lungs of the most private things right in the midst of a crowd. It makes my head ache. I can never do so. And men act as if strange servants had no ears and the noise does not trouble them at all. How they do not misunderstand each other more often is a marvel to me. I cannot think, much less talk sense, in such a situation."
"Yes, indeed," Alinor murmured, all desire to laugh gone.
This was the second time Lady Ela had stressed noise and crowds. The meaning finally penetrated to her. How incredibly stupid she had been, but it was a long time since she had been at court and, at that time, no one

 
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